Split power tool with extension

ABSTRACT

An extendable hedge trimmer includes a housing having a handle end and a tool end. The handle end includes a battery and an electrical connector. The tool end includes a hedge trimming implement, a motor, and an electrical connector. The electrical connector of the tool end is electrically connected with the motor. Wiring is included within the handle end for electrically connecting the battery and the electrical connector of the handle end. The trimmer also includes a pole which is releasably connectable between the tool end and the handle end. The pole is configured for electrically connecting the handle end with the tool end. The trimmer also includes a latch mechanism for releasably attaching the pole between tool end and handle end. The trimmer also includes an input for receiving AC line power via a power cord, the trimmer configured for being powered by AC line power and/or battery power.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part application and claimspriority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/756,214 entitled: Split Power Tool filed May 31, 2007, now abandoned,which is a non-provisional application claiming priority under 35 U.S.C.§119 to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/888,535 entitled: SplitPower Tool filed Feb. 6, 2007. U.S. patent application Ser. Nos.11/756,214 and 60/888,535 are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentireties herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an extendable andreconfigurable power tool, and more particularly to a power tool havingtwo halves and an extension pole that can be inserted between the twohalves to electrically connect them and make the power head end of thetool operable even though separated from the actuation end.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Power tools are implemented for a variety of tasks, such as for pruninga hedge, cutting low-hanging branches of trees, or the like. However,currently available power tools may not have the desired adaptability orversatility for promoting ease of performance for a variety of jobs ortasks which may be required to be performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an embodiment of the present invention is directed to apower tool, including: a housing, the housing including a handle end anda tool end, the handle end and the tool end configured for beingremovably and directly connected together, the handle end having abattery and an electrical connector, the tool end having a motor and anelectrical connector, the electrical connector of the tool end beingelectrically connected with the motor, the electrical connector of thetool end being electrically connected to the electrical connector of thehandle end when the tool end and the handle end are removably connectedtogether; wiring, the wiring being configured within the handle end, thewiring further configured for electrically connecting the battery andthe electrical connector of the handle end; and an input for receivingAC line power via a power cord, wherein the power tool is configured forbeing powered by at least one of AC line power or battery power.

A further embodiment of the present invention is directed to anextendable power tool, including: a housing, the housing including ahandle end and a tool end, the handle end having a battery and anelectrical connector, the tool end having a motor and an electricalconnector, the electrical connector of the tool end being electricallyconnected with the motor; wiring, the wiring being configured within thehandle end, the wiring further configured for electrically connectingthe battery and the electrical connector of the handle end; a pole, thepole configured for being releasably connected between said tool end andsaid handle end when said tool end and said handle end are separated,wherein said pole contains electrical wiring and electrical connectors,said electrical wiring and electrical connectors of the pole beingconfigured for electrically connecting the electrical connector of thehandle end with the electrical connector of the tool end; a latchmechanism, the latch mechanism being configured for releasably attachingthe pole between the tool end and the handle end; and an input forreceiving AC line power via a power cord, wherein the power tool isconfigured for being powered by at least one of AC line power or batterypower.

An additional embodiment of the present invention is directed to anextendable hedge trimmer, including: a housing, the housing including ahandle end and a tool end, the handle end having a battery and anelectrical connector, the tool end having a hedge trimming implement, amotor and an electrical connector, the electrical connector of the toolend being electrically connected with the motor; wiring, the wiringbeing configured within the handle end, the wiring further configuredfor electrically connecting the battery and the electrical connector ofthe handle end; a pole, the pole configured for being releasablyconnected between said tool end and said handle end when said tool endand said handle end are separated, wherein said pole contains electricalwiring and electrical connectors, said electrical wiring and electricalconnectors of the pole being configured for electrically connecting theelectrical connector of the handle end with the electrical connector ofthe tool end; a latch mechanism, the latch mechanism being configuredfor releasably attaching the pole between the tool end and the handleend; and an input for receiving AC line power via a power cord, whereinthe power tool is configured for being powered by at least one of ACline power or battery power.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory onlyand are not necessarily restrictive of the invention as claimed. Theaccompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a partof the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention andtogether with the general description, serve to explain the principlesof the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The numerous advantages of the present invention may be betterunderstood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanyingfigures in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the extendable power tool ofthe present invention with a pole attachment;

FIG. 1 a is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the extendablepower tool of the present invention with the handle end detached fromthe power head end;

FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the extendable power tool ofthe present invention without the pole attachment;

FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of the extendable power tool ofthe present invention without the pole attachment;

FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment of the power tool of the presentinvention without the pole attachment with the two halves separated;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the handle end of the power tool of thepresent invention depicting the handle end aperture for receiving themotor;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the power headend of the power tool of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the extension pole for use with the extendablepower tool of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the extension pole ofFIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the power head, handle end and extension poleof the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the latch mechanism of theextension pole of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a view of an embodiment of the latch mechanism of the presentinvention;

FIG. 12 is a view of a hedge trimmer embodiment of the extendable powertool of the present invention with the pole attachment;

FIG. 13 is a view of a hedge trimmer embodiment of the extendable powertool of the present invention without the pole attachment, the handleend of the power tool being directly connected with the tool end;

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of a hedge trimmer embodiment of theextendable power tool of the present invention without the poleattachment; and

FIG. 15 is a view of an attachment mechanism for attaching theextendable power tool of the present invention to the pole attachment inaccordance with an alternative exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferredembodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings.

Turning now to the Figures and specifically to FIG. 1, an expandablepower tool 100 includes a housing 102 having a tool or power head end104 and a handle end 106 separated by a power tool extension device orpole 108. In one embodiment, the pole 108 is a telescoping pole whoselength is adjustable. The pole 108 shown in FIGS. 1 and 7-12 has a firstend 110 that mechanically and electrically attaches to the power headend 104 of the power tool and a second end 112 that attaches to thehandle or actuation end 106 of the tool. In the exemplary embodimentshown in FIG. 1, the tool or power head end 104 has a saw 114 attached,but other types of tools such as hedge trimmers 114′ (FIG. 12), variouspower heads or other gardening implements can be used. The handle end106 has a handle 116 with a trigger 118 that is depressed in order toactivate the power tool 100. In the embodiment depicted, the handle end106 also has a battery 120, such as a NiCd 18V 1700 mah battery, whichin FIG. 1 is positioned at the bottom of the handle end 106 but may bepositioned in other areas. Further, the battery 120 may be removable (asshown in FIG. 14) and may also be rechargeable. In additionalembodiments, (such as shown in FIG. 12), the power tool 100 may beconfigured for being powered by AC line power, such as by having aninput for receiving AC line power via a power cord 1202. Further, thepower tool 100 may have hybrid power characteristics in that it may beconfigured for being selectively run via AC line power, battery power orboth. In the exemplary extendable power tool embodiment 100 depicted inthe figures, the chainsaw has a rear handle end or rear portion 106, ahand guard 124 and a secondary handle 116 a (see FIG. 1 a). There are,as depicted, two main sections, the main handle section 106 and thepower head section 104. These two sections 104, 106 split apart viarelease buttons 122 on the handle section 106 allowing the power tool orimplement to be separated into a working end and a trigger or otheractuation end. Typically the actuation or trigger end at the handle alsocontains the battery 120 in order to keep more weight to the rearsection of the tool to make it more balanced and easily held during usein an extension mode. As can be seen, the extension pole 108 allows thetwo sections or ends to be in electrical and controlling contact butallows for the implement or power head end 104 of the tool 100 to beextended significantly beyond the handle end 106 thereby extending thereach of the tool. Various electrical contacts can be provided betweenhandle end 106 and the implement or power head end 104 and also multipleconfigurations of the motor and the battery may be utilized, such asplacement of either or both on the same end. Electrical or plug typecontacts or connections may be utilized between the two halves with amale and female type receptacle utilized to maintain electricalconnectivity between the battery, trigger and motor. Such electricallyremovable connection between the halves allows them to be separatedreadily while maintaining electrical control of the motor by thetrigger. Further these same electrical contacts or plug type receptaclesmay be utilized in similarly positioned portions of the extension polein order to readily allow the extension pole to be installed between thetwo halves of the tool. Further, wiring in the interior of the extensionpole electrically connects the plugs or connectors at either end andalso allows the pole to be collapsed or extended.

FIGS. 2, 3, 13 and 14 show embodiments of the power tool 100 wherein theextension pole 108 has not been installed. In this configuration, thehandle end 106 and the tool end 104 of the tool 100 are directlyconnected and not separated by a pole. As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3,the handle end 106 has a handle release button 122 on the side of thehandle 116 that is adjacent the trigger 118. The handle release button122 can be depressed in order to separate the two ends 104, 106 of thehousing 102 as shown in FIG. 4 so that the pole 108 can be insertedbetween them. The release button 122 may be placed in alternativeportions of the handle end 106 or on the power tool end 104 and may bebiased in the connected or actuated position so as to maintain the twoends in mechanical as well as electrical contact. Further, as shown inFIG. 14, the tool end 104 may slidably connect to/disconnect from thehandle end 106 such as via engagement of corresponding rails 1402 ofboth the handle end 106 and the tool end 104. Such capability promotesease of adaptation of the power tool 100 for various types of tasks. Forinstance, the power tool 100 shown in FIG. 12 (the hedge trimmerembodiment w/pole), which may be best suited for trimming a top portionof a tall hedge, may have its pole 108 removed by a user, and may bequickly adapted to the power tool shown in FIG. 13 (the hedge trimmerembodiment w/o pole), which may be best suited for working in moreconfined areas and/or for trimming portions of the hedge which areproximal to the user.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the power tool 100 with the two endsseparated and without an extension pole 108 attached therebetween. Thetool end 104 has an electric motor 125 which is located within a motorhousing 126 that also acts as a mounting extension which inserts into acorresponding handle recess 136 (FIG. 5) on the handle end 106. Themotor housing 126 is a generally cylindrical member extending from thetool end 104 in the direction opposite the power tool 114. The motorhousing 126 has a first end 127 that is the end of the motor housing 126located the furthest distance from the power tool 114. The motor housing126 has a first electrical connector 128 located at the first end 127 ofthe motor housing 126. The first electrical connector 128, shown in FIG.6, electrically, operatively, and controllingly connects to a secondelectrical connector 130 of the handle end 106, as shown in FIG. 5. Thebattery 120 of the handle end 106 is operatively connected to the secondelectrical connector 130 by way of electrical wiring (not shown), andthe motor 125 of the tool end 104 is operatively connected to the firstelectrical connector 128 by way of electrical wiring (not shown). Whenthe tool end 104 and the handle end 106 are attached together, the motorhousing 126 of the tool end 104 is inserted into the recess 136 of thehandle end 106 until the second electrical connector 130 is inelectrical contact with the first electrical connector 128, and thebattery 120 of the handle end 106 is operatively connect to the motor125 within the motor housing 126 of the tool end 104. Thus, electricityflows from the battery 120 to the motor 125, which powers the saw. Theelectrical connectors 130 and 128 can be of any known electricalconnection in order that the handle end trigger 118 can electricallycontrol the motor and the power tool implement at the opposite end ofthe tool or implement. The motor 125 may be a DC electric motor which isof acceptable size and power to actuate the implement end of the powertool. As shown, the DC motor 125 may be integrated with the motorhousing 126 or may be integrated directly within the housing of theimplement end of the tool.

FIGS. 7-11 show a side view of the extension pole 108 which fits betweenthe two separated sections of the power tool implement. The extensionpole 108 has the first end 110 having a recess 140 and the second end112 having an extension 134. As shown in FIG. 8, the extension 134 has athird connector 138 on its outer edge. The locking extension 134 of thepole 108 fits in the handle recess 136 and electrically connects to thefirst connector 130. At the first end 110 of the pole 108 is the polerecess 140, which has a fourth connector (not shown) therein to whichthe first electrical connector 128 of the motor housing 126 on the toolend 104 electrically connects in order that the electrical connectionbetween the trigger and the power head is maintained even with theextension pole in place. The pole 108 contains wiring in its interiorthat electrically connects the third connector 138 to the fourthconnector (not shown) and thereby connects the battery 120 to the motor125 of the tool end 106.

A separated view of an embodiment of the power tool 100 with a pole 108is shown in FIG. 9. The housing 102 is shown split into its tool end 104and handle end 106 and the pole 108 positioned therebetween. As can beseen in FIG. 9, the motor 125 and motor housing 126 of the tool end 104is similar in construction to the locking extension 134 of the pole 108such that they both fit into the handle recess 136 Likewise, the handlerecess 136 and the pole recess 140 are similar such that the motorhousing 126 fits into both. In the embodiment depicted, the pole 108 maybe a telescoping pole and may have an adjustable length by use of atelescoping locking ring 107 (FIG. 1) positioned thereon allowing theouter end of the extension pole to telescope into the end nearer thehandle end of the tool or other implement. This configuration isdepicted in the differences in length shown between FIGS. 7 and 9wherein FIG. 7 shows a lengthened pole and FIG. 9 depicts a shortenedpole with the locking ring all the way abutting the first end 110 of thepole 108.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show the latching mechanism 144 of an embodiment of theinvention. There may be two latch mechanisms 144 on the first end 110 ofthe extension pole, such latch mechanisms similar in construction asthose provided on the housing of the power tool 100. A first biasedlatch (146 a) and a second biased latch (146 b) may be provided to clampor latch onto clasp sections formed on the opposing surface of thehandle end of the tool. A similar latch mechanism may be provided at theopposite end 112 of the extension pole 108. The latch mechanism 144shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 has two pincers or biased latches 146 a and 146b that attach to the housing 102. The latch mechanism 144 keeps the twoends 104, 106 of the housing 102 and extension pole 108 together untilthe handle release button 122 is pressed. Once the handle release button122 is pressed, the tool end 104 separates from the extension pole 108and similarly latches are provided to detach the handle end 106. Infurther embodiments, as shown in FIG. 15, the tool end 104 (and/or thehandle end 106) may be connected to/disconnected from the pole 108 via arail connect mechanism 1502. In the exemplary embodiment, the pole 108is configured with a first set of rails 1504, while the tool end 104 (orhandle end 106) is configured with a corresponding second set of rails1506. The rails 1504 of the pole 108 may slidably interconnect with therails 1506 of the tool end 104. Further, once fullyengaged/interconnected, the pole 108 and the tool end 104 may remainsecurely connected via a snap mechanism. For instance, a spring-loadedor self-biasing tab or snap 1508 may be configured on the pole 108, andmay insert or snap-fit into a corresponding slot 1510 formed in asurface of the tool end 104 when the rails 1504 of the pole 108 arefully interconnected with the rails 1506 of the tool end 104. The pole108 may be further configured with a depressable button 1512 or switchwhich may be depressed in order to disengage the snap 1508 from the slot1510, thereby allowing the rails 1504 of the pole 108 to be slidablydisconnected from the rails 1506 of the tool end 104. It is contemplatedby the present invention that the arrangement of the above-referencedelements may be varied, such as the snap 1508 and button 1512 beingconfigured on the tool end 104, with the slot 1510 being configured inthe pole 108.

While shown herein, the exemplary embodiment power tool may be utilizedas a chain saw. However, as described, the primary components of thepower tool and separable nature of the handle end and the power tool endof the tool with the ability to interconnect the two ends with anextension pole, may be utilized with many different implements and powertool features. Primarily, the design presented herein allows the triggerend and battery of the tool to be separated from the power head end andmotor. Further, electrical connection may be maintained between the twoends with no extra parts as the extension pole described herein may beinstalled without the need for external tools and maintains electricalconnection and control between the two halves through the extensionpole.

It is believed that the present invention and many of its attendantadvantages will be understood by the foregoing description, and it willbe apparent that various changes may be made in the form, constructionand arrangement of the components thereof without departing from thescope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of itsmaterial advantages. The form herein before described being merely anexplanatory embodiment thereof, it is the intention of the followingclaims to encompass and include such changes.

What is claimed is:
 1. A power tool, comprising: a housing, the housingincluding a handle end and a tool end, the handle end and the tool endconfigured for being removably and directly connected together, thehandle end having a battery, a recess formed into the handle end, and afirst electrical connector disposed within the recess wherein thebattery is operatively connected to the electrical connector, the toolend having a motor located within a motor housing extending outwardlyand a second electrical connector located at an end of the motorhousing, the second electrical connector of the tool end beingoperatively connected with the motor, the second electrical connector ofthe tool end being operatively connected to the first electricalconnector of the handle end when the motor housing and the motor of thetool end are inserted into the recess of the handle end; wherein thepower tool is configured for being powered by at least one of AC linepower or battery power.
 2. A power tool as claimed in claim 1, furthercomprising: a pole, the pole configured for being releasably connectedbetween said tool end and said handle end when said tool end and saidhandle end are separated, wherein said pole operatively and electricallyconnects the first electrical connector of the handle end with thesecond electrical connector of the tool end.
 3. A power tool as claimedin claim 2, wherein said pole includes a first end and a second end, thefirst end of the pole forming a recess, the second end of the polehaving a locking extension.
 4. A power tool as claimed in claim 3,wherein said recess of the handle end is configured for releasablyreceiving the locking extension of the second end of the pole.
 5. Apower tool as claimed in claim 3, wherein the motor housing of the toolend is configured for being received by the recess of the first end ofthe pole.
 6. A power tool as claimed in claim 3, further comprising: alatch mechanism, the latch mechanism being configured for releasablyconnecting the pole between the tool end and the handle end.
 7. A powertool as claimed in claim 2, wherein said pole is a telescoping pole. 8.A power tool as claimed in claim 1 wherein the motor housing iscylindrical.
 9. An extendable power tool, comprising: a housing, thehousing including a handle end and a tool end, the handle end and thetool end configured for being removably and directly connected together,the handle end having a battery, a recess formed into the handle end,and a first electrical connector located within the recess wherein thebattery is electrically connected to the first electrical connector, thetool end having a motor located within a motor housing extendingoutwardly and a second electrical connector located at an end of themotor housing, the second electrical connector of the tool end beingelectrically connected with the motor, wherein the motor housing and themotor of the tool end are receivable into the recess of the handle endfor operatively connecting the first and second electrical connectors toone another when the handle end and the tool end are directly connectedtogether; a pole, the pole being releasably connected between said toolend and said handle end when said tool end and said handle end areseparated, wherein said pole contains additional electrical connectors,said additional electrical connectors of the pole electricallyconnecting the first electrical connector of the handle end with thesecond electrical connector of the tool end; and a pair of latchmechanisms, the latch mechanisms releasably attaching one end of thepole to the tool end and the an opposing end of the pole to the handleend; wherein the power tool is configured for being powered by at leastone of AC line power or battery power.
 10. An extendable power tool asclaimed in claim 9, wherein the pole is a telescoping pole configuredfor being adjusted in length.
 11. An extendable power tool as claimed inclaim 9 wherein the motor housing is cylindrical.